Yeti may have been a little later to the eMTB game than some other brands, but they came out swinging with the 160e a few years back. That bike was designed specifically to take on e-EWS (e-EDR) races and was piloted to numerous World Cup victories and podiums over the past few years. More recently, Yeti introduced the MTe, a lightweight, mid-power eMTB that has been incredibly well received. Not to rest on its laurels, Yeti decided it was finally time to give the 160e a refresh.
Today, Yeti launches the new LTe, an updated version of the race-ready 160e. While it looks quite similar to its predecessor, the LTe’s geometry has been given the up-to-date treatment, and it sports a new Bosch drive system and all the components that go along with it. It’s still a long-travel bike made for e-enduro racing, but I found it’s heaps of fun to ride outside of the tape, too. Let’s check out the Yeti LTe, and be sure to check out my short-term review for impressions of this new eMTB.
Yeti LTe Details
The LTe isn’t all-new; it shares the same frame silhouette, travel numbers, Sixfinity suspension design, and 29-inch wheels as its predecessor, the 160e. Yeti made numerous changes to the bike’s geometry, but the biggest update is the move to a Bosch drive system from the Shimano setup on the outgoing model.
LTe Frame
The LTe sports the same travel as its predecessor, with 160 mm of Sixfinity rear suspension paired with a 170 mm fork. This is a race-inspired bike, and it comes spec’d with speed-oriented 29-inch wheels front and rear. An MX flip-chip allows riders to switch to a 27.5-inch rear wheel while maintaining geometry, suspension, and ride characteristics.
The new LTe is available in carbon fiber frames only, and only in the higher-tier T-Series (Turq) carbon fiber. For the LTe, the T-Series carbon layups are enhanced with Vectran, a Kevlar-like material that aims to enhance strength and impact resistance in key areas of the frame.
The frame has a downtube guard protecting the motor that doubles as an access hatch for the battery/motor. Molded rubber protection on the chainstay and seat stay helps keep chain-related noise to a minimum, while a custom, integrated chainguide keeps it on your chainring. Yeti’s internal routing ports have clamping closures to keep cable rattle at bay. The swappable cable port covers make it easy to switch between setups, keep dirt out of the frame, and maintain a streamlined appearance.
The downtube has one water bottle mount that also doubles as the mount for the 250 Wh Bosch PowerMore range extender (fits sizes M-XL), which is sold separately. There’s also an accessory mount under the top tube, so you can discreetly bolt on any of your favorite on-bike essentials.
LTe Geometry
The 160e’s geometry was pretty dialed for its intended purpose when it came out a few years back, so Yeti didn’t stray too far from that, but brought the LTe up to date. It comes in four frame sizes, claimed to fit riders between 5’1” and 6’7”. The head tube angle has been slackened by half a degree to 64 degrees, and reach measurements have been extended on all sizes by 5 mm. When combined, these changes result in slightly longer front-center and wheelbase measurements than the outgoing model.
Another notable update is that stack heights have been increased between 5 and 10 mm, depending on the size. Along with the longer reach and slacker head angle, the increase in stack is intended to reflect the winning formula Yeti has with the non-electric SB160. The designers also added 3mm of length to the chainstays — now at 449 mm — to improve fore-aft balance. All of these updates are intended to provide the rider with a more centered position, better balance, and more confidence in aggressive terrain.
Unlike many modern bikes, the LTe doesn’t offer any geometry adjustments. The design team feels the stock setup is ideal, so that’s how it comes. For those who like to tinker, however, the standard ZS headtube allows for the use of aftermarket reach or angle adjustment headsets. And, while 29-inch wheels come standard, Yeti includes an MX flip-chip, so riders can switch to a 27.5-inch rear wheel. According to Yeti, this flip-chip fully retains the bike’s geometry, ride characteristics, and leverage rate adjustability if you opt for the smaller rear wheel.
Sixfinity Suspension Design
Like the 160e, the LTe frame gets 160 mm of rear wheel travel that’s paired with a 170 mm fork. The rear suspension is controlled by Yeti’s Sixfinity suspension design that was introduced and proven on the 160e and is now being used on the MTe as well. Sixfinity is a six-bar design that Yeti intends to feel similar to its Switch-Infinity, but works better for eMTB packaging purposes. According to Yeti, all six bars control the wheel path and shock rate, and the Sixfinity design allows them to tweak the individual suspension characteristics and optimize them for the LTe.
The tuneable leverage rate carries over from the 160e, with a 3-position flip-chip in the lower shock mount. Riders can choose between 25, 30, and 35% progression to adjust the suspension feel based on the terrain/race course, personal preferences, or shock choice. Yeti refers to these three settings as Racy & Consistent (25%), Balanced Ride (30%), and Plush Then Poppy (35%). The LTe comes with the “balanced” leverage chip installed, and provides the flippable chips, so you don’t need to buy them or seek them out when you want to experiment or make changes.
Of course, with a powerful drive unit and a heavier bike, Yeti has to tune the anti-squat — acceleration response — for a full-power motor. As such, they have scaled it “lower than any other bike in our quiver.” According to the chart, the LTe’s anti-squat is between 101% and 113% at sag and stays relatively consistent in the “pedaling zone” before dropping off sharply for descending performance. On the flip side, the LTe’s anti-rise — deceleration response — has been tuned to remain consistent throughout suspension travel with a linear curve. Yeti says, “the LTe’s linear anti-rise strikes the ideal balance between active suspension and geometry preservation when braking.”
Sixfinity’s six-bar suspension design involves lots of bearings. The team at Yeti is aware of this and has gone out of its way to ensure “perfect alignment” by using its “World Cup-winning, precision-machined shock linkage.” In theory, perfect alignment of the moving parts should increase bearing longevity, plus it uses standard-sized cartridge bearings, which should make service easier. Precision alignment should also ensure smoothness throughout the travel, along with floating collet axles to enhance that smoothness.
Bosch Drive Systems
The 160e relied on the Shimano EP8 motor, which was one of the more popular options when that bike came out. In the past few years, Shimano’s ebike drive systems have fallen out of favor and been surpassed by other brands. That’s why we were pleased to see that the LTe comes with either the Bosch Performance Line CX (C2 and T3) or CX-R (T4) drive systems.
The latest versions of the Bosch CX and CX-R motors are among the most powerful and highest-performing motors on the market. Both motors can produce up to 100 Nm of torque and up to 750 W of peak power. The primary difference between the two is that the CX-R has a special “Race Mode” and weighs a couple hundred grams less than the standard CX. Otherwise, they are essentially comparable in terms of power output, tuneability, and on-trail performance.
Speaking of tuneability, the Bosch Flow app allows the user to fine-tune all of the pedal assist modes to dial them in to their preferences. Through the app, you can also access the Yeti Shock Calculator (also available online), find a Bosch dealer, plan and track rides, monitor battery life, and quite a bit more.
The LTe comes with an 800Wh Bosch PowerTube battery that’s stored neatly in the chunky downtube of the frame. It can be accessed by removing the downtube guard for battery swaps or motor maintenance. Yeti mentions that it can be swapped out for an aftermarket 600 Wh battery to save a couple of pounds for shorter rides. The M to XL frame sizes can also fit the 250 Wh PowerMore range extender for those longer adventurous rides.
Monitoring your battery life and important things like assist mode, distance, and more is easy with the new Bosch Kiox 400C top tube integrated color display. The display is unobtrusive and largely protected while being relatively easy to see while riding. The screen is crisp, with large numbers and color-coded assist levels for quick reference. Everything is controlled from the wireless handlebar remote, which is low profile and easy to reach with the thumb.
Yeti LTe Builds
Yeti is currently offering the LTe in three complete builds with prices ranging from $10,300 to $14,900. While the major components differ between builds, they all share the same aggressive Schwalbe Radial tire setup, Burgtec Enduro MK3 stem, Yeti Carbon Riser handlebar, Rock Shox Reverb AXS dropper, and WTB Solano saddle. Check out a quick rundown of each build’s highlights, followed by the full spec sheet below. The LTe comes in three color options: Yeti Turquoise, Raw Carbon, and Manjo.
Yeti LTe T4 XX Transmission: $14,900 USD (€14.500 / $20,100 CAD)
The T4 build comes with the race-oriented Bosch CX-R motor with Race Mode. Build highlights include the Fox Podium inverted fork, SRAM Maven Ultimate brakes, DT Swiss HXC1700 wheels, and a SRAM XX Transmission drivetrain.
Yeti LTe T3 XO Transmission: $12,900 USD (€12.900 / $17,400 CAD)
The T3 build comes with the standard Bosch CX drive unit. Highlights include the Fox 38 factory fork, DT Swiss HXC1700 wheels, SRAM Maven Silver brakes, and SRAM XO Transmission drivetrain.
Yeti LTe C2 E90 Transmission: $10,300 (€9.900 / $13,900 CAD)
The C2 build also uses the T-Series carbon frame, and it comes with the same Bosch CX motor and 800 Wh battery as the T3 build. It comes with a Fox 38 Performance fork, SRAM Maven Bronze brakes, and the mechanical SRAM Eagle 90 Transmission drivetrain.
Yeti LTe: Availability
The new Yeti LTe is available now. Head to the Yeti website to learn more or order one directly from the brand, or visit your local Yeti dealer to check one out in person.
